The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning about an increase in phone scams where callers try to extort money from residents by pretending to be law enforcement officers.
“The latest scam involves the perpetrators posing as representatives of the Dutchess County Sheriff”™s Office,” said the office in a statement on social media. “To make the scam seem legitimate the perpetrators somehow duplicate the Sheriff”™s Office main number of 845-486-3800, and then identify themselves as ”˜Sgt. Diaz”™ or another Sergeant before asking suspicious questions.”
The office added these calls “are scams designed to illicit money or information from the victim, and if you receive one please hang up immediately and call the Sheriff”™s Office to report it. This type of scam using duplicated phone numbers is known as a form of ”˜spoofing.”™”
The office added that anyone who may have been the victim of a scam is encouraged to contact the Sheriff”™s Office at 845-486-3800 or via the tipline at 845-605-CLUE or dcsotips@gmail.com.
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